a/n: in an early draft of the beginnings of the coffeeshop au, i was planning on making hazuki and midori give kumiko romantic advice with reina and just overall act like supportive wingmen, but that idea was eventually scrapped in favor of the "clueless straight friends" thing, which ended up working better, but i figured the original idea could've worked in canonverse too

"Wh-aa-t?" Hazuki drew out each syllable as if it was its own word, a comical expression of surprise on her face. "You like Kousaka-san?" Kumiko turned a deep shade of red.

"I always knew," Midori added smugly. "It was clear from the look you'd get on your face every time she walked into the room. It's the face of a fool in love, couldn't be anything else!"

"Yes, I like her, I like girls, it's not a huge problem," Kumiko muttered, avoiding eye contact with the two girls in front of her. "D-don't try to do anything crazy with this, okay? This is a really important thing, I wasn't even planning on telling you."

"Why did you tell us, then?" Hazuki asked.

"I was sick of you assuming that I was going after Shuichi. I figured that it'd be best to tell you two myself before Asuka started powering the rumor mill."

"Yeah, yeah, that makes sense," Hazuki mused. "Have you told her yet?"

"No."

"You should."

"I won't."

"I'd be willing to bet all of my Tuba-kun merchandise that Kumiko's made her feelings really obvious already, Hazuki," Midori piped up.

"It doesn't matter! Kumiko, you need to tell her how you feel!"

"This isn't a cheesy book, Hazuki." Kumiko curled her hands into fists in her pockets, regretting her decision to tell Hazuki and Midori already. "T-this is real life, and I don't want to do anything that'd drive Reina away. She's . . . she's my best friend, I can't screw that up." Kumiko tried to force back the tears welling in her eyes. "I'm n-not supposed to try for more than I have. Y'know those stories where the kids learn that they need to be grateful for what they have?"

"Not really," Midori squeaked.

"Me neither," Hazuki admitted. Kumiko sighed.

"W-well, anyway, that's what I'm trying to base my decisions off of. I've messed up before, I don't wanna do it again." Hazuki looked down at her shoes.

"We understand," she said, putting a hand on Kumiko's shoulder. "I won't say anything else about it, okay?"

"T-thanks," Kumiko sniffed. Midori wrapped her in a hug.

Kumiko really shouldn't have been surprised when she read the note scribbled in Hazuki's familiar chicken scratch, telling her to go to the roof urgently. She shouldn't have been surprised when she saw Reina standing there, too, holding a nearly identical note in her pale hands.

"I know what they're trying to do," Reina called as Kumiko ascended the last step. "I can see those two watching us from a tree below." Kumiko looked down and fiddled with a loose thread in her pocket.

"Y-you know, it doesn't mean anything," she mumbled. "They're, uh, kinda obsessed with matchmaking." Reina raised an eyebrow.

"I can see that." The trumpet player stepped closer, close enough for Kumiko to see the spark in her eyes that glowed when she took Kumiko's hands into her own. "I suppose they won't stop until we give them what they're seeking." With that, Reina kissed Kumiko right on the lips. Kumiko had been expecting to be elated, glowing, practically jumping up and down, but instead she was relieved, relieved that she wasn't just being a fool in love again, and that relief flooded her body as she sank deeper into the kiss. The distant, triumphant cheering of Hazuki and Midori could be heard from below, but Kumiko paid no attention. She resolved to thank them later, but for now she was simply content with the girl in front of her.